The Scottish justice secretary today defended the release of the Lockerbie bomber.

Kenny MacAskill told an emergency session of the Scottish parliament that it had been his "own decision" to free Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, adding that he stood by "the laws and values of Scotland".

However, MacAskill accused the Libyan government of breaking a promise not to extend a hero's welcome to Megrahi on his return, saying it was "a matter of great regret that [he] was received in such an inappropriate manner".

"It showed no compassion or sensitivity to the families of the 270 victims of Lockerbie," he added.

The debate is continuing, with MSPs questioning MacAskill on his decision.

The justice secretary has been at the centre of the national and international row after his decision last week that Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, should be released on compassionate grounds.

"It was a decision based on the law of Scotland and the values that I believe we seek to uphold," he told the Holyrood parliament, adding that it was "appropriate" for him to again explain the reasons for his decision.

In a statement that echoed his address last week, MacAskill acknowledged that the release was "a global issue and international in its nature".

He said the Scottish government would co-operate in any future inquiry into Megrahi's release and added that he took full responsibility for his actions, saying: "It was my decision, and I'll stand by it and live with the consequences."

But the Scottish Labour leader, Iain Gray, said it was "the wrong decision, made in the wrong way".

"The cabinet secretary has mishandled this whole affair from start to finish," he said.

"Between the scenes of triumph in Tripoli and the pain and anger at home and abroad, is there anything Mr MacAskill now regrets about his decision and the way it was reached?"

MacAskill remained defiant, saying it would have been "ludicrous" to let Megrahi die in a Scottish hospice as some had suggested.

He also said he had been advised by Strathclyde police that guarding Megrahi would have been extremely complicated, requiring dozens of officers.

The justice secretary said he had already published "key material" on the applications for compassionate early release and for a prisoner transfer.

"I will now look to publish other relevant material," he said. "Some of this can only be done with the permission of others, which we are seeking."

He said Megrahi's decision to withdraw his second appeal against conviction was "a matter for him and the courts", adding: "My decisions were predicated on the fact that he was properly investigated, a lawful conviction passed and a life sentence imposed."

The debate over Megrahi's release escalated today, with the Scottish National party forced to defend the decision amid criticism from the British and US governments.

The FBI has said the case will have "given comfort" to terrorists worldwide.

SNP officials have denied claims that MacAskill – a staunch Scottish nationalist and former criminal defence solicitor – was influenced by either the Foreign Office or British economic interests in Libya.

Gordon Brown maintained his silence, with Downing Street saying the prime minister had found the scenes in Libya upon Megrahi's return "distasteful" but failing to address whether the Libyan should have been released.